Thymelicus hyrax (Lederer, 1861)  
Levantine Skipper, Hesperie de Lederer, Толстоголовка иракская. 

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
The species is distributed in Greece, Asia Minor, Transcaucasia, Iran, and Israel. The host plant is most probably Achnatherum bromoides. In Armenia the butterfly is known from two isolated locations in Ararat and Vayots Dzor provinces. The species inhabits dry mountain steppe and semi-desert areas, occupying the elevation range from 1000 to 2000 m a.s.l. Imago are observed from the late July till mid August; the species gives single generation.

Population dynamics:
The species is quite rare within the typical habitat, and its current distribution indicates quite high level of species' specialization. However, due to low number of the species, there is a scarcity of its records, which impedes the estimating of the population dynamics at current. The areas where the species has been recorded are influenced by outrun practice of livestock grazing, which might be a serious risk of habitat degradation and decline of the larval host plant. The semi-desert parts of its habitat are quite intensively occupied by horticulture which can become another serious risk of habitat destruction.

Conservation measures: 
The species has not been evaluated for IUCN Red List and for Red Book of Animals of Armenia, as well it is not included into CITES or Bern Convention; however it was mentioned in the European Red List as Least Concern. The latest estimation was made for Greece, while the Asia Minor and Transcaucasia populations have not been involved. At current part of its population is protected in the Khosrov Forest State Reserve, while the majority of it population are inhabiting vicinity of the Reserve and Gnisheek PBA in Vayots Dzor region. Preliminary assessment of its national conservation status suggests it to be Vulnerable, however detailed research is required for higher accuracy of the evaluation. Proposed conservation measures include assessment of conservation status of the species, and including areas of its distribution into network of Emerald Sites. The next steps include development or improvement of the management plan of the protected areas, and as part of it - inclusion of the species into Butterfly Monitoring Scheme of Armenia. The grazing management will become another essential part of the monitoring Scheme.

Photo: V. Shyurov

Back to the species list